The pair are the last survivors from Australia's "golden generation" and in all likelihood the upcoming Asian Cup will be their last hurrah with the national team - although in Cahill's case, in particular, it is never wholly wise to rule him out of anything, given that he says he wants to keep playing while he feels he can make a contribution.

But neither man can go on for ever, and when Ange Postecoglou announces his final 23-man Asian Cup squad on Tuesday attention will focus on the next generation - players seven to 10 years youngster than the two 35-year-olds who are Australia's standard bearers. It is they who are expected to become the mainstays of the national team for the next World Cup cycle.

Some came in and stated their case in Brazil - mid twenty-somethings like Ivan Franjic, Oliver Bozanic, James Troisi, Matthew Spiranovic (whose international career has been reactivated in recent years) and Mathew Leckie, in particular, saw game time in the World Cup either as starters or off the bench. Add to that list Robbie Kruse - a certainty for this squad - who missed out in Brazil because of injury.

Even younger players have come in and been given an opportunity since: names like Trent Sainsbury and Massimo Luongo, the Dutch-based centre half and midfielder from English League One club Swindon Town respectively have been regulars in Postecoglou's starting line-up as he continues to mix and match to find the right blend, not just for this tournament but the qualifying campaign for Russia 2018.

What Australia really needs is a creative attacking midfielder, a player who can fill what is these days is known as the "number 10" role.

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Bresciano has performed that job with distinction for the best part of 14 years now (having made his debut under Frank Farina in a Confederations Cup match against then world champions France in Korea in 2001) but there have been few replacements on the horizon.

Bozanic, who can play as a wide left midfielder or even as a left back, has been given a chance, as has Tommy Oar, the Dutch-based forward who looks more effective as a winger.

His story should give hope to all those promising youngsters who go overseas at an early age but find that things don't always go as hoped for.

Troisi spent several seasons with Premier League club Newcastle United, whom he joined as a teenager from Adelaide. He then moved to Turkey with spells at Genclerbirligi and Kayserispor before being bought by Juventus, the Italian giants, who promptly sold half his registration right to Atalanta, another Serie A club for whom he only played a handful of games.

Many players would, in these circumstances, fall through the cracks and drop down the divisions, disillusioned and despairing.

Troisi swallowed his pride - and for a player in his age group and with his football background it would have required a dose of humility to do so - and returned to Australia, signing for Melbourne Victory for the 2013-14 season.

He was so impressive he played his way back into Socceroo contention and when the party for Brazil was named he was on the list.

His career path is an example to many that, if you are still relatively young (Troisi is 26) it is possible to return to the A-League, play well and get another opportunity to rebuild your career.

On the back of his World Cup appearances Troisi landed a deal in Belgium, where he is currently playing with Zulte Waregem, who are in the top division but sitting 14th in the 16-team league.

He was happy to have used the A-League as a route back to Europe, and the national team, and he is hopeful that he can, if given a chance, stake his claim to be Bresciano's successor in the national team.

"I had a good season in Australia but the idea was always to go back to Europe and this opportunity came up," he said last month while with the Australian team in Japan for the pre-Asian Cup friendly.

"There was a few different opportunities but the Belgian league is a very good league to play in and a good shop window for bigger clubs in Europe.

"So I decided to go there and play my football and so far everything's working out so we'll see what happens at the end of the season."

"I'm playing as a number 10 at my club. We play with two 8s (box to box midfielders) and I'm a 10. That's my best position. Obviously I just want to be on the pitch but ideally my best position is as a 10."